Help me dress my piper...

[billmcc]

Pipers in military, police and fire department bands typically wear a doublet and plaid. Civilian pipers usually wear just a vest during the summer and an Argyll style jacket when weather permits.

[beloitpiper]

Here's what I recommend: until he joins a pipe band, he really doesn't need a full doublet, plaid, and feather bonnet. A simple waistcoat (and argyle jacket, if you're feeling especially generous), glengarry hat, and semi-formal sporran will do just fine with his kilt. Don't worry about the spats, hose tops, horsehair sporran, cross belt, plaid, doublet, and feather bonnet until he gets into it more and starts doing big-time gigs.

[davidlpope]

In my opinion, the all-around most versatile outfit for a civilian solo piper consists of:

Black Glengarry (without the red/white diced headband, these are normally worn by drummers)
White long sleeve shirt
2 Solid color ties (one to accent the sett of the kilt (red tends to look nice for most tartans), black for weddings and funerals)
Black "Argyll" style jacket with gauntlet cuffs and chrome buttons
Solid color hose (to tone with the kilt, I tend to avoid pure white)
Black Ghillie Brogues
Black waist belt with chrome buckle
"Semi-dress" sporran (the L&M black hunting sporran with chrome cantle works particularly well)

If you add the other items below you can dress this outfit up to play black-tie events (or just attend without piping):

Black vest with chrome buttons to match jacket
Diced Hose (red/white or red/black- these are available affordably from J. Higgins)
Black Bow-tie

This set of items will present a very professional appearance. Going the #1 Dress route (feather bonnet, doublet, piper's plaid, horsehair sporran, spats, etc.) is very expensive and a lot to worry about for someone who is just getting back into piping.

You don't have to have all of the items I've listed (for example you can wear the kilt belt at formal functions instead of the vest), since building a highland wardrobe takes considerable time and money but this is what I would work towards. Montrose and Regulation doublets, Mary Jane brogues, and estate tweed daywear jackets can be acquired at a later date.

Cordially,

David

[kypnkilt]

Only word of caution is that the coats fit a bit more snugly than most off the peg stuff you buy these days, so if he is, say, a 44 chest, it is better to order a 46.

How true! I bought a waistcoat at size 48 per the measuring instructions....too small. When I called about it, they sent me a larger one that day and then I sent the small one back. I recieved the new one in 2 days. I have heard that their measurments tend to be on the small side when ordering, but other than that they're good folks to deal with. They made me a kilt that fit perfectly.

On another note: I have a pipers outfit in a more non-traditional view. On occasion I wear kilt, Jacobite shirt with a leather pipers vest, black/plain balmoral and knee-high leather boots, with a ceremonial dirk.

[Mr. Woolery]

My wife bought me an Argyle jacket, belt, and sporran from Higgins for a Christmas gift right after my mother gave me my first kilt. Frankly, it looks more formal than most "formal" clothes.

And I agree about the gauntlet cuffs. They sort of echo the look of a PC without being quite so fancy.

I have never seen a reason to get a fly plaid. I don't like the look of them or the thought of them getting in the way.

To get him outfitted properly is a really wonderful thing for you to do!

-Patrick

[rlskreftie]

Thanks again for all the advice. You guys are the BEST!!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

A lot of what is worn depends on where you are (Alaska vs. Mississippi). Here in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia it never gets too god-awful hot and humid. That said, a lot of wool (or synthetics) can get uncomfortable. Here is what my piper wears:

OUTDOORS: MacMillan tartan kilt; rifle green hose, white long sleeve shirt*, red waistcoat** with white pocket flaps (my livery colours are red and white), black balmoral/glengarry*** with red/white cockade, clansman's badge of our chief. Sporran, and all leather gear, is black.

INDOORS: MacMillan kilt, rifle green hose, a red argyll jacket with white cuffs, collar, and pocket flaps, red waistcoat** with white pocket flaps, white shirt and white jabot. Silver mounted seal skin sporran and black leather gear.

*sometimes Pipey wears a "jacobite" shirt, which is perfectly fine by me, if he finds that to be more comfortable.
**the waistcoat has buttons that go all the way to the neck, although when worn outdoors it is usually only buttoned part way up. Indoors (piping us to table) the waistcoat is buttoned right up.
***Pipey tends to favour the glengarry, although he has worn a balmoral with his jacobite shirt.

[Carolina Kiltman]

My wife bought me an Argyle jacket, belt, and sporran from Higgins for a Christmas gift right after my mother gave me my first kilt. Frankly, it looks more formal than most "formal" clothes.

And I agree about the gauntlet cuffs. They sort of echo the look of a PC without being quite so fancy.

I have never seen a reason to get a fly plaid. I don't like the look of them or the thought of them getting in the way.

To get him outfitted properly is a really wonderful thing for you to do!

-Patrick

The Piper's plaid is not a fly plaid, but is generally used in the most formal occasions only.